New study shows continued overuse of antibiotics for viral illnesses

NHS GPs have continued to overprescribe antibiotic treatments for viral illnesses in the last few years, potentially increasing the risk of antimicrobial resistance developing.

A new study from Public Health England and University College London has found that the likelihood of GPs prescribing antibiotics for coughs and colds increased by 40 percent between 1999 and 2011, despite government recommendations against this.

The report also showed significant variation in the performances of different practices, with the highest prescribing practices twice as likely to offer antibiotics for coughs and colds as the lowest prescribers.

Trends such as these increase the risk of antibiotic-resistant superbugs developing, meaning patients will no longer be able to benefit from these treatments when they are really needed.

Professor Jeremy Hawker, a consultant epidemiologist in the field epidemiology service at Public Health England, said: "Although it would be inappropriate to say that all cases of coughs and colds or sore throats did not need antibiotics, our study strongly suggests that there is a need to make improvements in antibiotic prescribing."

This comes after a number of royal colleges representing medical professionals issued a joint statement last month calling for doctors to try and end the perception of antibiotics as cure-alls, and to encourage patients to accept alternative treatment options that are just as effective.